Budapest Airport Transfer: Every Option Compared

Best option for most visitors: 100E Airport Express

The 100E Airport Express is the simplest public-transport choice for most arrivals. It runs directly between Terminal 2 and central Pest, serving Kálvin tér, Astoria on selected overnight journeys, and Deák Ferenc tér. Budapest Airport says the service runs around the clock, with the shortest daytime gaps and less frequent overnight departures. Check the live timetable in BudapestGO/BKK rather than planning around a remembered frequency.

The important catch is the fare. A normal BKK single ticket or standard travelcard does not cover 100E. The full airport-shuttle ticket is currently 2,500 HUF. Since 1 October 2025, eligible Budapest-pass, Pest County Pass and Hungary Pass holders can instead buy a 1,000 HUF 100E add-on ticket in BudapestGO. Pay&GO bankcard purchase and validation is also available on 100E.

Cheaper connection: 200E plus metro or train

200E is a normal BKK service, so ordinary tickets, time-based tickets, travelcards and valid passes can be used. It connects Terminal 2 with Kőbánya-Kispest, where you can change to metro line M3. It also stops at Ferihegy railway station for trains towards Nyugati. At night it connects with night-bus services via Határ út.

This option is useful if your accommodation is on the M3 corridor, you already hold a valid pass, or saving money matters more than avoiding a transfer. With luggage after a long flight, 100E is usually easier.

Official taxi: predictable and door to door

For a taxi, use the Főtaxi booking booths at the entrances of Terminal 2A and 2B and take the assigned car from the rank. Budapest Airport currently lists the regulated Budapest tariff as a 2,100 HUF base fare plus 520 HUF per kilometre and 130 HUF per minute. The booth can estimate the fare from your destination before departure, and airport taxis accept cards.

Avoid accepting unsolicited rides inside the terminal. The official airport process is easy enough that there is little reason to negotiate with someone approaching you in arrivals.

miniBUD shared shuttle

miniBUD is the airport's official shared door-to-door shuttle. It can make sense for solo travellers who want hotel delivery without paying for a whole taxi, though the journey can take longer because passengers are grouped by destination.

Ride-hailing and app taxis

App-based taxi booking is available in Budapest, but airport pickup arrangements can change. Compare the quoted app fare with the official taxi option and follow the pickup instructions shown in the app rather than assuming the car can stop anywhere outside the terminal.

Late-night arrivals

Both 100E and 200E operate overnight, but frequencies and connections are different from daytime. BKK has specifically adjusted airport services during periods of late flight disruption, so the safest rule is to check BudapestGO after landing. If your flight is heavily delayed and you have children, mobility needs or substantial luggage, a taxi or pre-booked shuttle removes the transfer risk.

Which transfer should you choose?

• 100E: best default for first-time visitors staying in central Pest.
• 200E + M3: best for budget travellers or M3-corridor accommodation.
• Official taxi: best for groups, lots of luggage, awkward addresses or maximum simplicity.
• miniBUD: useful middle ground for door-to-door service without hiring the whole vehicle.

Arrival mistakes to avoid

Do not buy a normal single ticket and assume it covers 100E; do not follow an unofficial driver who solicits you in the terminal; and do not rely on an old blog fare. Airport transport has changed several times recently, including the 100E fare rules in October 2025 and Pay&GO expansion in 2026.

Official sources to check before travel

Use BKK for live public-transport fares and disruptions and Budapest Airport for the current terminal transport setup.

Frequently asked questions